Barca save 90 million thanks to Piqué and Griezmann's absence

Barca did not bring in any players in the winter transfer window, but they did take advantage of it to release some players such as Depay and Bellerin. The club are looking to free up wage bill at all costs in order to comply with the 'Financial Fair Play' and thus be able to afford signings next summer.

Barcelona's sporting director Mateu Alemany explained at a press conference with Joan Laporta what the club are working on. "We have made departures of players we didn't count on and we have lowered the wage bill," he said.

In fact, he highlighted two cases that have allowed the 'Cules' to save quite a lot of money. "Griezmann and Pique, who were under contract next year, were worth 90 million euros. We reduced that amount of wage bill with their two departures," he revealed.

Griezmann was signed by Atletico Madrid while Piqué announced his retirement just before the start of the World Cup in Qatar. Never has a farewell (or rather two, in this case) given so much joy.

Joan Laporta, for his part, used his speech to send a message to La Liga for its economic rules. "Every time we overcome an obstacle, they change the rules...", he commented.